chapter 9- rumors

Agnes commented with disdain while sipping her hot coffee, "This is the first time the king has visited the queen's palace. Significantly, he did not even visit her on their wedding night."

"Moreover, he was reportedly seething with rage, having struck her and wreaked havoc in her chamber before exiting," Agnes continued, her excitement palpable.

"Such claims are merely speculative; the maids may have exaggerated the events," Christy interjected, countering Agnes's assertions.

"Oh, I assure you, it is indeed true! The maids and guards witnessed the king berating and physically confronting the queen. She undoubtedly provoked him; Anastasia must have committed some folly once again to draw Demetrius's ire," Agnes recounted with a smile, her disdain for the queen evident.

"Please refrain from mentioning their names; are you not aware of the palace's etiquette?" another concubine remarked, visibly uncomfortable. Bess, however, remained unfazed by the disquieting conversation, reveling in the imagined distress of the queen.

 Joseph entered the king's office clad in a polished black uniform. Demetrius sat in a quiet corner, surrounded by scattered papers and the soft glow of his desk lamp. He was deeply engrossed in reading the reports, his brow furrowed in concentration and his lips barely parted as he silently processed the information. The world around him faded, leaving only the pages and the complex data they contained. His secretary, Nikolas Britain, stood at the corner of the office table, organizing files. Joseph bowed in greeting to the king and handed a report to the secretary. Upon looking up, Demetrius appeared fatigued, suggesting he had not rested the previous night. Nikolas presented the report to the king, who read it in silence.

Joseph is a dedicated member of "The Black Night," an elite and secretive unit operating directly under the king's command. Known for their unmatched skill and tactical prowess, this specialized group is entrusted with the most perilous missions that demand stealth and precision. With a reputation for working hidden in the shadows, Joseph and his comrades often venture into hostile territories, gathering vital intelligence and thwarting threats that could endanger the kingdom. Each member of this formidable force undergoes rigorous training, honing their combat abilities and mastering various forms of espionage. Joseph's unwavering loyalty and keen instincts have earned him respect among his peers, as he navigates the complexities of their covert operations. In a world fraught with danger, he embraces the responsibility of safeguarding the realm, fully aware that each mission could determine the fate of the kingdom he serves.

"Who is this elderly woman?" Demetrius inquired, glancing up from the report.

"Your Majesty, that woman is the proprietor of an antiquities shop," Joseph responded.

"Does she engage in any other occupation?"

"No, Your Majesty. According to my investigation, she has been managing that shop for nearly forty years and has no other employment. She is a widow with no relatives or children."

"Then what prompted the queen's visit to that shop?" the king asked, seeking clarification.

"Your Majesty, I am unable to provide an answer to that question. When I followed the queen from the church, I could not approach her as she entered the shop, making it impossible for me to overhear their conversation. Upon my return to the shop, it was closed, and when I inquired with the neighbors about the shop owner, they informed me that she had gone to visit someone in another village."

"So you are unaware of the queen's intentions?" the king asked, his irritation growing as he listened to his most trusted knight.

"I apologize," Joseph replied, lowering his head, feeling that he had failed to complete his mission.

Nikolas leaned forward, his brow furrowed with concern, and asked Joseph, "Do you think the queen was trying to escape again?" Joseph shook his head slowly, a skeptical look crossing his face as he replied, "I doubt it. When she left the shop, the queen seemed utterly distressed."

The king, intrigued by their conversation, leaned back in his ornate chair and gestured for clarification. Joseph took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "It appeared as though the queen was in shock—her expression was blank, and she seemed to be reeling from some harrowing news. She trembled slightly as she made her way back to the church, her steps unsteady and hurried."

Demetrius interjected, "So, something significant must have happened." The king closed his eyes for a moment, seeking clarity, while he absently tapped his fingers on the polished armrest of his chair.

Following the queen's previous unsuccessful escape, Joseph and his team had been monitoring her movements discreetly. As one of the knights who had escorted the queen to a charity event, Joseph had closely observed her actions, even shadowing her during her visit to a vintage shop while disguised.

"Your Majesty, there has been some gossip circulating since this morning regarding you and the queen," Joseph stated, breaking the silence in the room. Demetrius turned his attention to him, intrigued by the news. Joseph continued, "The servants have been whispering that you had a confrontation with the queen last night." He averted his gaze as he delivered this information. Nikolas, taken aback, asked, "What do you mean?" Joseph explained, "Some of the servants claim they witnessed the king striking the queen and gripping her throat in an attempt to suffocate her."

"WHAT!" Nikolas exclaimed in disbelief. Joseph attempted to respond but was interrupted by the king's laughter. He and Nikolas exchanged glances, trying to decipher the king's thoughts.

 Meanwhile, Anastasia isolated herself in her chamber, clinging to her bed and refusing to rise. She disregarded the servants who entered her room throughout the day to clean and serve food. Julia, observing her mistress with sympathy, moved about the room, preoccupied with her tasks. Anastasia curled up beneath her blanket, covering her head in fear, with Sebastian Thornton as the sole figure occupying her troubled thoughts. She concluded that he must have been the one to inform the king about her situation. Anxiety gnawed at her as she contemplated the consequences of her actions, especially after her husband had stormed out of the room following a heated argument.

As night fell, she resolved to rise and refresh herself. Julia encouraged her to eat, but Anastasia dismissed her suggestions, claiming she was not hungry. She gazed out the window at the residence of the concubines. The 'Green Palace' was more expansive than her dwelling, housing all of the king's lovers under the guidance of Princess Charlene, who was favored by the king and regarded as the true queen of Hwagwande, in contrast to Anastasia.

Anastasia vividly recalled her first meeting with Charlene, a moment etched in her memory shortly after her arrival at the opulent palace following her wedding. On that occasion, a vibrant assembly of concubines and the Queen Dowager had gathered in a grand display of welcome, their colorful silks and regal attire contrasting beautifully against the grandeur of the palace. Standing elegantly beside the Queen Dowager, Charlene commanded attention with grace and strength.

As her gaze swept through the crowd, Charlene's eyes landed on Anastasia. Rather than extending warmth, she offered a cool, dismissive glance that made it abundantly clear how she regarded the new queen—an intruder in a realm where she was accustomed to wielding influence.

Throughout the years that followed, Charlene continued to exhibit a palpable disdain for Anastasia, treating her as if she were little more than an afterthought. Whenever their eyes met, tension hung in the air, and Anastasia felt a deep-seated urge to confront Charlene's haughty demeanor, even if just for a fleeting moment. Yet, she was acutely aware that the true power lay with Princess Charlene, a woman whose lineage stemmed from a powerful and formidable nation, casting a long shadow over her aspirations.

"Your Majesty," Julia said softly as she approached Anastasia, who sat on the edge of her ornate chair, her brow furrowed in distress. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the room, highlighting the worry etched on Anastasia's delicate features. When their eyes met, Julia noticed the tension in her posture, a subtle reflection of the turmoil within.

"I have wonderful news," Julia continued, a bright smile illuminating her face, hoping to lift her mistress's spirits. Yet, Anastasia remained unresponsive, her lips pressed into a thin line, silence hanging heavily between them.

 "Tomorrow, the crown prince will arrive at the palace," Julia added.